La Salle outlasts Ateneo in five-set thriller

MANILA, Philippines — NOEL Kampton may have been celebrating his 25th birthday, but he was the one who gave De La Salle University a crucial victory.Behind Kampton's explosive 27-point performance—23 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, along with 12 excellent receptions—and substitute Yoyong Mendoza's clutch heroics, the Green Spikers outlasted archrival Ateneo de Manila University in a five-set thriller, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25. The victory forged a tie for third place in the UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.Still reeling from a four-set loss to the University of Santo Tomas last Saturday, La Salle bounced back to level with Ateneo at 6-4 in the standings.The win also secured a season sweep for the Green Spikers over the Blue Eagles following their four-set triumph in the first round last March 12. It marked La Salle's fourth consecutive victory over Ateneo, dating back to their first-round meeting in Season 86."Sinabihan ko si coach [Jose Roque] na huwag na ako ipasok kasi ang ganda na ng linalaro ng mga pumalit sakin 'eh. Tapos sabi sa akin ni coach, hindi, may tiwala ako sayo. Kahit na may times na may off-game ka, mas tumaas lang yung kumpiyansa ko. Sabi niya sa akin, pabirthday niya sa akin ngayon," Kampton said.("I told Coach [Jose Roque] not to put me in anymore because the players who replaced me were playing really well. But Coach told me, 'No, I trust you. Even though there are times when you have an off-game, my confidence in you has only grown.' He told me this is his birthday gift to me.")"Happy ako kasi ngayon lang ako nanalo sa birthday ko. Lahat ng games sa UAAP pag birthday ko, puro talo ako 'eh," he added.("I'm happy because this is the first time I've won on my birthday. All the games I've played in the UAAP on my birthday, I've always lost.")In the grueling 36-minute fifth set—the longest in Season 87 across both collegiate divisions—La Salle had to claw back from two separate four-point deficits to send the frame into extended play. Two consecutive attacks from MVP frontrunner Kennedy Batas put Ateneo at match point, 13-14, but a crucial double contact error by setter Enzo Gutierrez forced the game into an extended battle.The Green Spikers then weathered eight match points from the Blue Eagles before completing the dramatic five-set comeback.An off-the-block attack from Jian Salarzon gave Ateneo its eighth match point at 24-25, but Mendoza emerged as the unlikely hero. The rookie delivered an off-the-block hit and an out-of-system attack to push La Salle to match point at 26-25.Eager to keep Ateneo's hopes alive, Salarzon attempted a down-the-line shot, but MJ Fortuna was perfectly positioned for the block, sealing La Salle's hard-fought victory in two hours and 31 minutes."Actually, it's not about the skills; it's more on kung paano nila ilaban yung sarili nila sa fifth set. Skills is evident, nandoon na sa kanila 'eh. Ang hinanap ko kanina, kung paano nila ilalaban yung game na ito. Napakita nila 'yon nung fifth set," La Salle head coach Jose Roque said.("Actually, it's not about the skills; it's more about how they fought for themselves in the fifth set. The skills are already evident, they've got that. What I was looking for earlier was how they would fight in this game. They showed that in the fifth set.")Ron Maglinao fueled the Green Spikers' fourth-set surge, finishing with 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks, along with 20 excellent receptions. He was later substituted by Mendoza, who stepped up in crunch time. Rui Ventura added 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.JJ Rodriguez contributed eight points on seven attacks and one block, while Nath del Pilar chipped in six points on five attacks and one block.Eco Adajar orchestrated La Salle's offense with 28 excellent sets, while Season 86 Best Libero Menard Guerrero anchored the defense with 23 excellent receptions and 15 excellent digs.La Salle will next face the winless University of the East on Saturday, April 5, at the same venue.For Ateneo, Batas, who battled through cramps in the fifth set, led the team with 26 points, 18 excellent receptions, and seven excellent digs. Salarzon delivered 20 points on 16 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, along with 32 excellent receptions.Amil Pacinio added 18 points on 15 attacks, two aces, and one block, while Jett Gopio tallied 10 points on four attacks, three blocks, and three aces.The Blue Eagles will look to bounce back against the Golden Spikers on Saturday at the same venue. TM